Food Handler Card Requirements by State

Food handler requirements come from state health codes and, in some places, county ordinances — which is why the answer changes at the state line. Of the 25 states published here so far, 8 require accepted training statewide, 6 (Alabama, Arizona, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada and Virginia) leave it to counties, and 11 require no individual card at all.

"No card required" is the answer people most often get wrong. In those 11 states no line cook, server or dishwasher has to buy a card — but the state usually still requires the person in charge, or a certified food protection manager, to hold an accredited credential. A vendor selling you a "state food handler card" for one of those states is selling a voluntary course, not a legal requirement. Each state page says plainly which it is.

The trap to avoid is buying the wrong course. Some states accept any ANSI/ANAB-accredited food handler course, but others only recognize their own program or a short official list — and a generic online card will not count there. Your state page names the accepted training and links the official approved-course list, so check it before you pay anyone.

Deadlines, fees, and validity periods vary just as much — and some states simply do not publish every detail. Each state page here lists only facts we verified against official pages and state law, links every source with its access date, and tells you plainly when something is not published so you know to confirm it with your local health department.